Master of Divinity

The Master of Divinity degree prepares students for professional work in the fields
of pastoral care, chaplaincy, community development, and dharma teaching. This 72-credit,
three-year program is firmly grounded in Buddhist philosophy and meditation practice,
while emphasizing an interreligious approach to individual and community care. This
training is then applied in hands-on field education work, to develop individuals
who can actively manifest wisdom and compassion in the world. The program breaks new
ground in preparing Buddhist-inspired students to serve their communities in leadership
capacities.

The MDiv degree prepares students through four streams of learning: 1) theological
study—an in-depth understanding of the basic Buddhist texts and doctrines in historical
and present-day contexts; 2) community—devoted to the insights and tools for fostering
“engaged” communities; 3) interfaith pastoral care—the ability to serve the spiritual
and human needs of a diverse community in ministerial/chaplaincy roles while embodying
the principles and practices of one’s primary tradition; and 4) practice and meditation—the
spiritual practice of sitting meditation from the Buddhist tradition.

Field education opportunities (either Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or internship
placements) based on individual student interests provide a context for integrating
all four streams of learning and applying them to real-world needs, while initiating
the process of lifetime learning through the student's work.

Optional Specialties:

Tibetan Tradition Emphasis Students with particular interest in the scholastic tradition of Tibet have the option
of rounding out the monastic college (shedra) aspect of their studies by selecting
the optional Tibetan Tradition emphasis, which involves attending a month-long summer
program of Nitartha Institute between the first and second years of the degree program.
The courses they take during this program, in conjunction with their studies at Naropa,
lead to the completion and receipt of the Foundation and Intermediate Curriculum Certificates
of Nitartha Institute, which qualify students to enter the study of the Advanced Curriculum
and to apply for the Teaching-in-Training program at Nitartha after their graduation
from Naropa. (For background information, seewww.nitarthainstitute.org.)

Mindfulness Instructor TrainingA three-course series training students to offer instruction in shamatha practice
and being a mindfulness instructor. Participants develop skills in first-time meditation
instruction and mentoring new practitioners.

Shambhala Training Shambhala Training is the path of study and practice of Shambhala Warriorship: the
tradition of human bravery, not being afraid of who you are. This training, in partnership
with Shambhala International, shows how to take the challenges of daily life in our
modern society as opportunities for contemplative practice.

Note on fees: There are several expenses associated with noncredit requirements in
the Religious Studies programs. These do not involve any Naropa tuition cost, but
do involve costs paid to the organizations offering these programs. The month-long
contemplative practice retreat costs approximately $1,300. Master of Divinity students
may enroll in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for academic credit, which may reduce
the cost of clinical training, though additional fees charge by the CPE training center
may also apply. Tibetan Tradition students register for a 3-credit Nitartha Institute
program through Naropa, which will cover the tuition cost, but not the room and board,
text, and other items of the Nitartha program, which add up to approximately $1,000.
The prices listed above are estimates based on current costs. These costs are determined
by outside organizations and are subject to change. There are also occasionally smaller
course fees associated with individual classes, which are subject to change.

Degree Requirements

Please note that many students complete the program in four rather than three years.
For a complete four-year plan, please see your academic advisor. Some courses are
only offered alternate years; please consult your academic advisor.

SUBTOTAL 11–12 (8–9) (Tibetan Traditional emphasis)

TOTAL CREDITS 72

*It is highly recommended that students complete the noncredit month-long dathün requirement
(REL650) by the winter break between the fall and spring semesters of their first
year or, at the latest, during the summer following their first year.

**It is required that students in the Tibetan Tradition emphasis complete the requirement
to attend a monthlong Nitartha Institute program in the summer following their first
year. This is integral to the sequence of the curriculum. This replaces three credits
of electives in the final semester.

Religious Studies Electives

General Electives

REL525Contemplative Christianity (3)

REL529Contemplative Judaism (3)

REL530Contemplative Hinduism (3)

REL535Kabbalah and Consciousness (3)

REL545Contemplative Islam (3)

REL585Spiritual Models of Social Action (3)

REL623Religious Experience in Africa: Sacred Cosmos, Ritual, and Community (3)

REL625Christian Scripture and Sprituality (3)

REL634Hindu Yoga-Tantra (3)

REL655Trends in Religious Studies (3)

REL672Non-Dualism in Theory and Practice (3)

REL676Inner Oral Tradition of the Torah (3)

Buddhism Electives

REL540Zen Buddhism (3)

REL546Flight of the Swan: Dharma Comes West (3)

REL701The Middle Way School (3)

REL751Buddhism in Tibet (3)

REL760Vajrayana: Symbol, Iconography, and Ritual (3)

Contemplative Practice Electives

REL504WThe Breeze of Simplicity: Meditation Weekend (1)

REL540Zen Buddhism (3)

REL554WOpening the Heart: Meditation Weekend (1)

REL571Christian Prayer and Mystical Practices (3)

REL609WMindfulness Instructor Training I (1)*

REL634Hindu Yoga-Tantra (3)

REL690W–791W Shambhala Training Levels I–XII (1)

REL690WShambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human (1)

REL691WShambhala Training Level II: Birth of the Warrior(1)

REL692WShambhala Training Level III: Warrior in the World (1)

REL693WShambhala Training Level IV: Awakened Heart(1)

REL694WShambhala Training Level V: Open Sky (1)

REL695WShambhala Training Level VI: Great Eastern Sun (1)

REL790WShambhala Training Level VII: Windhorse (1)

REL791WShambhala Training Level VIII: Drala (1)

REL792WShambhala Training Level IX: Meek/Perky (1)

REL793WShambhala Training Level X: Perky (1)

REL794WShambhala Training Level XI: Outrageous & Inscrutable (1)

REL795WShambhala Training Level XII: Golden Key (1)

REL709WMindfulness Instructor Training II (1)*

REL780Meditation Practicum IV: Maitri and Mandala (3)

REL809WMindfulness Instructor Training III (1)*

TRA505 Taijiquan I (3)

TRA515Yoga I (3)

TRA520Ikebana/Kado I (3)

* These courses must be taken in sequence. The prerequisites for REL609W are Meditation
Practicum I and II, as well as a Buddhist monthlong meditation intensive, two weeks
of which must be completed before the class begins.